The controversy surrounding President Biden’s pardon of former Judge Michael Conahan, convicted in the “kids-for-cash” scandal, has ignited calls for the removal of Biden’s name from a Scranton expressway. Conahan, along with another judge, received kickbacks for sentencing juveniles, some for minor offenses, to for-profit prisons. The scandal led to the overturning of thousands of convictions and remains a painful chapter in the region’s history. Pennsylvania officials, spearheaded by State Rep. Jamie Walsh, argue that the pardon diminishes the gravity of Conahan’s crimes and sends the wrong message about public corruption. They believe honoring Biden with the expressway’s name is now inappropriate.
Walsh, joined by other officials like State Rep-elect Brenda Pugh and Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak, emphasizes the lasting impact of Conahan’s actions on the victims and their families. They view the pardon as a betrayal of justice and a stain on Pennsylvania’s reputation. Chermak directly appealed to Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti to revert the expressway’s name, arguing that it would restore public trust and reaffirm the city’s commitment to ethical governance. The officials contend that the pardon effectively condones Conahan’s behavior and undermines the fight against corruption.
Mayor Cognetti acknowledges the gravity of the situation, labeling Biden’s commutation of Conahan’s sentence a “grave error” that has reopened old wounds within the community. She expressed her disappointment with the decision and confirmed that she communicated her concerns to the White House. However, she also highlighted the irreversibility of the pardon. Cognetti’s personal experience with public corruption in Scranton, having succeeded a mayor convicted on corruption charges, adds another layer to the complex situation.
Despite her criticism of the pardon, Cognetti defends Biden’s legacy and Scranton’s pride in having a president as a native son. She views the calls to remove Biden’s name from the expressway as politically motivated, attempting to conflate two separate issues: Biden’s long career in public service and his controversial pardon of Conahan. Cognetti emphasizes the need to address corruption in government independently of Biden’s legacy, asserting that his hometown connection should be celebrated.
Governor Josh Shapiro, while acknowledging the president’s absolute power to grant pardons, expressed his strong disapproval of the decision. He highlighted the pain it has caused in northeastern Pennsylvania, where the “kids-for-cash” scandal had a profound impact. Shapiro emphasized the importance of careful consideration in pardon decisions, contrasting his meticulous approach with what he perceives as a misstep by President Biden. He underscored the lasting damage the scandal inflicted on the community and the families affected.
The debate surrounding the President Biden Expressway underscores the tension between honoring a native son who achieved the highest office in the land and grappling with a controversial pardon that has reopened old wounds. While officials like Walsh and Pugh believe the pardon disqualifies Biden from the honor, Cognetti maintains that his legacy and the pardon should be considered separately. The controversy reflects the deep divisions within the community and the enduring impact of the “kids-for-cash” scandal. The pardon has not only reignited the debate over judicial ethics and accountability but also cast a shadow over what was intended as a local celebration of a hometown hero.
